Sweet Talking Pop Heptones

a plethora of compilations has been dedicated to the phenomenal recordings of the heptones but so prolific were they and so high quality their music that no single collection can really do the band s career justice sweet talking doesn t try preferring to focus exclusively on the trio s stunning work at studio one during the rocksteady and early reggae years the heartbeat label has previously scattered a number of these tracks across their numerous studio one compilations while many others are easily found on trojan sets however three songs are debuting on cd here with the rest of the album mostly culled from rare stereo mixes that are also making their first appearance on cd a boon for audiophiles and collectors as for the selection itself well it s hard to go wrong when you re picking from this period and many of the heptones finest moments are featured within but there are some surprising omissions their 1967 breakout hit fatty fatty and the much versioned get in the groove spring immediately to mind and with the set clocking in at just under an hour there was room for both which is good because fans wouldn t want to lose any of the tracks that are included from the most familiar to the lesser known gems like the motown perfect sad songs and the flawless extended mix of let s try that latter number features absolutely inspired work from studio one s house band and it s impossible to mention the heptones without noting the sensational backings that supported them this compilation is as great a tribute to the label s incredibly talented musicians and arrangers as it is to the vocal group itself some critics claim that studio one produced the most gorgeous music ever recorded and this compilation further advances their argument